What is Truth?
I will tell you. “Truth” (the most recent name of a confrontational commenter here) is gone if he can’t respect you. Call him what you like: “Truth”, “Lame”, or “ANON1″. Personally, I’ve gotten used to him and his abrasiveness. It was actually kind of entertaining. It made my day go by faster because I was always checking and finding that he posted something new. I’ve got a thick enough skin to let stuff roll off my back, and yet enough of a fighter in me to poke and prod him into more arguments. But when it comes to my friends, I get more defensive. Taunt me all you want. But don’t mess with my friends (or family for that matter). On the “March 27″ post, “Truth” repeatedly attacked my friends by making fun of their looks, intelligence, social status, etc. My friends held their own, to be sure, but at least one of my friends noted that he/she didn’t like all the negativity, and might not comment on my blog anymore. Then I thought, maybe there are others out there who would like to comment, but don’t want “Truth” to rip them apart. If I have to chose between my friends and “Truth”, I will pick my friends every time. Although I do value free speech, I also value my friends. If “Truth” would have simply presented opposing viewpoints respectfully, that would have been fine. But to stoop to personal insults and bullying is not acceptable. I probably should have stopped him earlier. If you were offended by the back-and-forth with “Truth”, I apologize. I want people to feel free to post their thoughts and viewpoints and differences on this blog. I hope there are differences. That’s what makes discussion fun. “Truth” has agreed not to comment on this blog further. (Although I told him that if he can do it in a respectful manner, to do so. If it gets bad, I’ll just delete the comments.)
So please, feel free to share your thoughts once again without fear of being disrespected by “Truth”.
Oh, and thank you to all of you who encouraged me to pursue the Last Comic Standing Audition coming up in March!
laughingattheslut responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 3:07 pm →
See, I’d just assumed that it was a made-up persona, just to have a bit of fun on the blogs. But then he insults everyone, on subjects that have nothing to do with what is supposed to be discussed on the blog. And he can’t handle it when he gets some of it back.
I was enjoying the guy’s blog for a while, just cause I thought it was a joke and no one really admits to being that much of an ass. I do miss it a little bit, and I think other people do too. But he was being mean to people he doesn’t even know for no reason that I could see.
If your friends were really going to leave, then it’s better that he’s gone. But your friends weren’t really going to leave for good, right? Your friends are going to leave you to deal with jerks all by yourself, right?
Playtah responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 3:12 pm →
laughingattheslut - He was entertaining, no doubt about that. The pointless cruelty was what got to me. Heck, I love to argue and debate and discuss. But you’re right–it always turned to weight or salary or something irrelevant.
I think my friend meant that he/she would still read the blog, just not comment or read the comments because there was too much negativity.
laughingattheslut responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 3:35 pm →
It is kind of dull if no one ever disagrees with you about anything.
I know that I am smarter than a lot of people, but it’s not like I can see all of those people out there on the Internet nodding after they’ve read something of mine.
I realize that people might want to discuss things like the difference between being a valued person and being well paid for a job, but that wasn’t the topic, and it wasn’t his blog, and it wasn’t even Beth’s blog. It just jumped from whether or not you should enter a contest to Beth’s opinion doesn’t count because she just got a minimum wage job. There didn’t seem to be a logical connection, and then it seems like people’s weight issues, fertility problems, and parenting skills were brought up. So not only did that have nothing to do with Last Comic Standing, that didn’t seem to have much to do with Beth or her job or why her opinion should not count.
In case anyone gets bored later–I weight 141 pounds this week, I do not currently have a job, I am not aware of having any fertility problems, and I do not have or want any children. That covers just about everything, doesn’t it? People have my permission to try and make something interesting out of that if they have nothing better to do.
Beth responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 3:49 pm →
I knew you’d handle the situation however you saw fit, and I trust your judgement, as I always have. It’s a fine line, isn’t it–on the one hand, not feeding the troll but on the other being absolutely ripped to shreds no matter what you say. I truly like a lively discourse, and I don’t think we all have to agree. But I don’t see why it needs to be mean-spirited and hateful, and while I’m quite capable of holding my own, I don’t like getting down in the mud with pigs. That’s not really who I am.
And I really really hate that YOUR nice announcement got so derailed.
(By the way…found out today that my new job is NOT minimum wage and that more will be forthcoming after 30 days, assuming I perform well.)
Playtah responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 3:56 pm →
laughingattheslut - Good point.
Beth - I know what you mean. And congrats on the job and pay!!!!!
Everyone - I personally don’t mind myself being ripped to shreds. I find it entertaining and I guess I even kind of like it. I guess I’m just trying to feel out how everyone else feels. I got the vibe from 1 or 2 people that coming to my blog was not enjoyable anymore because of the trollage. **Sigh** I guess I’m just trying to make everyone happy. I want everyone to feel welcome. Even though I’ve never met many of you, I love that you comment and come here. What would you like me to do? Anything? Nothing?
laughingattheslut responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 4:12 pm →
You cannot make everyone happy all of the time.
And it is your blog, not ours.
Maybe he could come back, if certain people could have like a safety word.
That’s not my thing, so I hope I used the correct term.
Rachel responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 4:14 pm →
Truth/Anon1/(insert real name here ~ yes I do know it) has done this on a few blogs, mine included.
There were times when he had a totally valid point that may have swayed some opinions but unfortunately he would always wrap it in vitriol and insults.
I actually LIKE him. The times when he made a valid contribution I always considered a victory.
You are right Wendy. When it comes down to your friends or an anonymous commenter, friends come first every time.
It was always so disheartening to me when the comments would get so far off of the subject that was written about.
Playtah responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 4:34 pm →
laughingattheslut - Safety word? Kinky! Should there be leather masks involved?
Actually, I had coach in high school who really got into games–he told the team that if he got too angry or whatever, to say, “Nice shirt, coach.” That way he would know to tone it down a notch.
Rachel - Good points. I hear ya. I actually kind of like him too.
I guess I’m just trying to be sensitive to the people I care about. I’m cool if you’re all cool. I just didn’t want anyone to feel alienated or scared to contribute. I hold freedom of speech very highly, I just got concerned that people I liked were getting offended. Ok. Truth, play ball!
Fiction responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 4:57 pm →
In my view, everyone here is like the children of Lake Wobegone. We’re all above-average.
If my opposite brings the curve down a bit: So be it!
dmarks responds:
Posted: February 22nd, 2007 at 5:05 pm →
I do recall some education official somewhere along the way complaining that half of students were testing below average, and that something had to be done about it.
Andy responds:
Posted: February 23rd, 2007 at 3:22 am →
He was amusing for the first couple and then I felt like apologizing to you for egging him on. He did cross the line and had he said anything like that to any of my friends IRL, I’d probably not been able to resist trying to knock him through a wall.
or two. Nice thick ones, with rebar, and electrical wires………I should stop now.